Effects of extract of gingko biloba on the lipid metabolism and the function of macrophages from diabetic rats

AIM: To study effect of extract of ginkgo biloba (EGb) on the lipid metabolism and the function of macrophages from diabetic rats.METHODS: Sprague-Dauley rats were divided into four groups: normal control group, high-fat group, diabetic group and EGb treatment group.At the end of experiment, the rats were sacrificed, the blood glucose, blood insulin and serum lipid were measured.The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), content of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) in alveolar macrophages (AM) and peritoneal macrophages (PM) were assayed.In addition, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ), CD36 mRNA expression in AM was measured by RT-PCR.RESULTS: The concentration of the blood glucose, blood insulin and total cholesterol (TC), total triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein- cholesterol (LDL-C) in blood increased significantly in type 2 diabetic group.The supplement of EGb decreased blood glucose, blood insulin and TC, TG, LDL-C levels.The activity of SOD decreased, while the content of NO, MDA increased in the diabetic macrophages, the activity of SOD became increased, but the content of NO and MDA decreased in EGb-treated group.The mRNA expression level of CD36 and PPARγ in alveolar macrophages from diabetic group increased, while expression level of CD36 and PPARγ mRNA in EGb treated rats continued to rise.CONCLUSIONS: EGb corrected insulin resistance and ameliorated disturbance of lipid metabolism caused by type2 diabetes in rats.Adjustment of PPARγ and CD36 mRNA expression of as well as reduction of lipid peroxidation and NO level may be involved in this process.